Perk Defends Perks Paid For By Taxpayers

Weightier issues take back seat to attacks at City Hall
By SUE-ANN LEVY, TORONTO SUN

At last month's council meeting neophyte politician Gord Perks insisted -- without batting an eyelash -- that their role is "belittled" by those who claim the job can be done for a mere $2.

"None of us can do our job for $2 ... our work improves lives and also saves lives," Perks pontificated." I am not interested in penny-wise pound-foolish government."

The self-professed environmentalist, who gave a whole new meaning to being full of hot air that day, was referring to his colleague Rob Ford, who spent none of his $53,100 office budget last year and a mere $2 the year before.

His comments came during the heat of a vicious, disgraceful, nearly three-hour debate on whether to have the auditor-general and the integrity commissioner review Ford and Doug Holyday for using too little of their $53,100 office budgets, as well as for allegedly accepting third-party gifts and paying for some expenses out of their own pockets.

Council sunk to a new low at that meeting. The review -- initiated by one of council's top spenders, Giorgio Mammoliti (who used $49,795 last year) -- was approved 24-14. Even Mayor David Miller voted for the motion.

At the same time, council (see a list of who voted below) approved yanking $1,123 immediately out of the two councillors' office budgets to pay for their use of common touchdown space at the Etobicoke Civic Centre.

Perks also had the chutzpah to say that day Ford must provide receipts for items he pays for with his own dime -- such as his annual summer BBQ for friends and constituents.